Tanya Brett is one of today's leading sculptresses. Based in the UK, she works with ceramic and bronze, bringing out the emotional responses of animals in her work using techniques associated with drawing and painting from brushstrokes, lines, to scratches. A selection of her work is found at Tanner & Lawson Gallery in London (Columbia rd E27RG). Eclectic* caught up with Tanya to talk art, animals, and have a little bit of chatter.

eclectic*: What can you communicate in sculpture that you can't in other artistic medias?

tanya:  The general 3d mass of a sculptural object gives it a certain strength and presence , and the fact that you can touch it is something I love, especially as I make animals, and we all want to touch animals don't we? So, making something tactile sets sculpture apart from let's say painting or drawing .

e: You focus primarily on animals, how does that theme influence you?

t:  Animals constantly interest and inspire me and how we relate to them as humans , what they mean to us.

e: What is your perception of beauty?

t: Being pregnant, and how animal that is ... Now getting away from the rawness of it.... Brings lots of inspiring thoughts on birth , life and death ..science and art.

e: Which artists have had an influence on you and your career?

t: Epstein, Hockney, Rembrandt Buggati , Henry Moore, Nicola Hicks, and so many more

e: Who would you like to meet at a dinner party?

t: David Attenborough ...to pick his brains on all types of animals and animal behaviour.... And Oliver Read for some general fun and bad human behaviour.

e:  If you could be resurrected, what would you like to come back as?

t: An Eagle

e:  What is your favorite macaroon?

t: There's only vanilla in my book!

e: At La Lucha Libre, who would win: Orlan vs Cindy Sherman?

t: Probably Orlan ... She has got horns surgically implanted in her head ... It's got to give her a better chance!

Related posts: